Top tips’ for Canine Hip and Elbow Scoring Radiography.pptx

‘Top tips’ for Canine Hip and Elbow Scoring Radiography Hip and Elbow Scoring Schemes • BVA Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Schemes for Dogs • Uses radiology to screen for abnormalities in the hip and elbow joints • Radiographs are scored for any anatomical or pathological changes indicative of hip or elb...

‘Top tips’ for Canine Hip and Elbow Scoring Radiography Hip and Elbow Scoring Schemes • BVA Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Schemes for Dogs • Uses radiology to screen for abnormalities in the hip and elbow joints • Radiographs are scored for any anatomical or pathological changes indicative of hip or elbow dysplasia • Intended to assist dog breeders in their selection of breeding stock Radiation Safety and Restraint of the Patient • Radiation Safety: • Use the ALARP principle • Use a designated x-ray room with appropriate signage • Optimise positioning, collimation, centering, labelling and reduce artefacts to avoid requirement for repeat exposures • Use appropriate kV and mAs to minimise exposure • All personnel should be out of the controlled area during exposure where possible • Anyone in the room (if restraining the patient) should be wearing the appropriate lead gown and thyroid protector and should stay out of the primary beam • Restraint of the Patient: • In order to manipulate the joints sufficiently to obtain these images, the dog must be heavily sedated or anaesthetised. • Consider using and Alpha-2-agonist for sedation • If anaesthetised, maintain with a volatile agent Positioning – Hip • Ventrodorsal view • Place in dorsal recumbency – sandbags are placed either side to stabilise the thoracic region or use of a gutter • Hind legs are extended caudally so they are even in length – tied down to stabilise positioning • Check the symmetry of the body for axial and femoral rotation • Adduct the stifles to make sure the femora are parallel – place a tie around them to maintain parallel position • Can place a foam block under and sandbag over the hocks to aid symmetrical positioning • Center over the midline at the level of the hips using the greater trochanters and pubic brim as landmarks • Collimate to pelvic area only • Label with an R marker on the right-hand side of the patient Positioning – Elbow • Flexed View – Mediolateral • Place in lateral recumbency on the side of interest (imaged elbow should be in direct contact with the cassette) • Contralateral thoracic limb is retracted over the thorax and tied • Place a foam wedge under the carpus to prevent rotation • Ensure the sternum isn’t superimposed over the elbow • Elbow should be flexed at a 35-45o angle – hyperflexion results in rotation of the elbow • Center to the epicondyles of the elbow • Collimate to include elbow joint only • Extended/Neutral View – Mediolateral • Same general positioning as for the flexed view but the joint should be placed at a 110 o angle • Center over the medial epicondyle and collimate to include the elbow joint only • Both are labeled with L or R marker corresponding to the limb of interest.